2018 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight Special
Android Auto, CarPlay & Streaming Apps for 2018 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight Special
| Factory code | XL1200XS |
|---|---|
| Engine | Evolution 1200 (1,202cc) |
| Factory head unit | No factory options — HogPlay Screen recommended |
| Factory USB location | None |
The 2018 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight Special keeps the family's signature peanut tank and fat 16-inch front tire, but swaps the standard Forty-Eight's forward controls for mid-mounted pegs and a taller bar — a more upright, easier-reaching stance built around the air-cooled Evolution 1200 (1,202cc). It's still a bare-bones Sportster at heart: blacked-out finishes, low seat, no windscreen, and no factory radio or infotainment of any kind. That's where the 7-inch HogPlay Media Screen comes in, bar-mounted and built for a bike this stripped.
No Factory Radio — Add Your Own Screen
The 2018 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight Special left the factory with no radio, stereo or touchscreen to bypass — so instead of a workaround, you add your own. A standalone HogPlay Media Screen is a 7-inch head unit with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, live Maps & Waze navigation, calls and streaming built in — we recommend the Screen 7 Pro with its onboard DVR drive-cam. Most riders settle for Bluetooth-only kits that leave the phone in your pocket with no turn-by-turn directions; this puts it all on the bars instead. It mounts to the handlebars with basic power and ground and comes off just as easily, so reach out to the HogPlay team if you'd like a hand. (Media Box support on Screens is in development.)
HogPlay CarPlay screens that fit 2018 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight Special
✓ Universal fitHogPlay 7" Motorcycle Touchscreen - Wireless CarPlay, Android Auto & Screen Mirror with DVR Dash Cam
✓ Universal fitHogPlay 7" Motorcycle Touchscreen - Wireless CarPlay, Android Auto & Screen MirroringWe also stock universal parts that fit the 2018 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight Special and most other motorcycles — standalone CarPlay screens and universal USB power.
Universal parts that fit 2018 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight Special and most other motorcycles
✓ Universal fitHogPlay Motorcycle Media Box Power Boost Cable - USB-C✓ Universal fitHogPlay Motorcycle Media Box Power Boost Cable - USB-A
✓ Universal fitHogPlay Universal Motorcycle USB Charging Ports - USB-A & USB-C (Harley-Davidson, Indian, Goldwing)About the 2018 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight Special
The Forty-Eight Special split off from the standard Forty-Eight specifically to trade cramped forward controls for real all-day comfort without losing the fat-tire, peanut-tank stance that defines the line. It's a bike meant to be ridden, not just posed on — which makes the total absence of any audio or navigation source more noticeable on longer runs.
The HogPlay Media Screen clamps to the bar right where the factory never put a display, wiring straight to power and ground with no dash to cut into and no factory harness to splice. It pairs wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto through a built-in speaker, so music, calls, and turn-by-turn ride along without a single new hole drilled — and the whole mount comes off just as cleanly if you ever sell the bike stock.
2018 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight Special CarPlay & Android Auto — FAQ
Does the 2018 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight Special support wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
The 2018 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight Special left the factory with no radio or touchscreen, so it cannot run CarPlay on its own. A bar-mounted HogPlay Media Screen adds wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation and streaming to the 2018 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight Special.
How do I get wireless Android Auto on the 2018 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight Special?
The 2018 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight Special has no factory radio, so a HogPlay Media Screen is the way to add Android Auto: it has wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay built in, nothing else required.
What apps and streaming can I run on the 2018 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight Special?
The HogPlay Media Screen on the 2018 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight Special is a self-contained media center: wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto plus navigation, music and apps on the handlebars.
Is the HogPlay install on the 2018 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight Special plug-and-play and reversible?
Yes. Every HogPlay upgrade for the 2018 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight Special is true plug-and-play — a simple electrical connection with no cutting, splicing or flashing, and it's fully reversible. Setup is easy; exactly how you reach the connector varies by bike (USB adaptors plug straight in, while some radio-mounted bypasses need brief fairing or radio access).
Do I need a bypass to add Android Auto to the 2018 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight Special?
No — the 2018 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight Special has no factory screen to unlock, so no bypass is involved. A bar-mounted HogPlay Media Screen adds wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay to the 2018 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight Special on its own.
Which HogPlay parts fit the 2018 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight Special?
The part made for the 2018 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight Special is the bar-mounted HogPlay Media Screen — wireless Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, navigation and streaming in one unit. Confirm the exact fit with What Fits.
For the 2018 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight Special, is a Media Box or a Piglet the better pick?
Neither is needed on the 2018 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight Special: with no factory radio, the all-in-one HogPlay Media Screen is the pick — wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are built in.
Is Android Auto on the 2018 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight Special wireless?
Yes — the HogPlay Media Screen runs Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on the 2018 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight Special fully wireless; pair your phone once over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
With its wide front tire and torquey Evolution 1200, the 2018 Forty-Eight Special has plenty of attitude, and the HogPlay Media Screen adds real function to match. Its housing is fully sealed, waterproof, and rugged enough to handle vibration and weather without missing a beat. Dual Bluetooth keeps two channels live: one wirelessly links your phone for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, the other feeds audio out to an auxiliary amp, handlebar speakers, or a portable Bluetooth speaker. A small built-in speaker also delivers turn-by-turn prompts and light audio on its own.
Android Auto on the 2018 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight Special: HogPlay makes the 2018 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight Special run wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay — compare every Android Auto option that fits the 2018 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight Special, then confirm your exact fit with What Fits.
← More 2018 Harley-Davidson models · Android Auto for Harley-Davidson → · Find parts for another motorcycle
